The Round 27 team lists are here and have brought with them chaos for Fantasy owners, with several clubs resting all of their big guns.
It means putting a 17 together – let alone a quality one – will be extremely difficult, and it comes at a terrible time for those with head-to-head grand finals this week.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 27
Broncos v Storm, Thursday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Coach Kevin Walters has opted to sit most of his big-name players, with the most Fantasy-relevant absentees being Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Patrick Carrigan, who are all owned by more than 18 percent of teams. EDG Brendan Piakura comes back into the starting lineup after scoring well in that role earlier in the season.
Storm: MID Josh King and EDG Eliesa Katoa are the only top 10 Fantasy scorers from the Storm who have been named to play. The inclusion of Will Warbrick is a big one for those who will be struggling to field a back five, while for those with trades left there are some possible opportunities to take advantage of with the likes of Bronson Garlick (HOK/MID, $255k) set to play big minutes.
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Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers, Friday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: After rewarding the 10 percent who own him with a round-high 106 last week, Daly Cherry-Evans could well be in for another big score against the competition's last-placed side. Tolutau Koula (CTR/WFB, $435k) was excellent at fullback last week on his way to 77. Ben Trbojevic was underwhelming as a starting second-rower in Round 26, managing only 29 points in a 62-minute stint.
Wests Tigers: Api Koroisau moves to halfback this week, after scoring 62 there in Round 25, with Jake Simpkin back from a head knock to take his place at hooker. $220k EDG Justin Matamua gets a start at lock and is a good chance of having his biggest score of the year.
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Rabbitohs v Roosters, Friday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Damien Cook and Cameron Murray shape as huge players this week given the high-profile outs, and will be captained by plenty in Round 27. With Latrell Mitchell out suspended, Blake Taaffe (WFB, $387k) gets a run at fullback, while Izaac Thompson comes in on the wing for his first game since Round 6.
Roosters: James Tedesco returns at fullback after missing last week due to concussion and, for the time being at least, is named in a backline that includes Joey Manu, who suffered a game-ending hamstring injury in Round 26. Brandon Smith (HOK/MID, $529k) has hit form in the last fortnight with consecutive scores of 62 and 54.
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Dolphins v Warriors, Saturday at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins: After hitting 54 in his return to fullback last week Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is again named in the No.1 jersey, while winger Jamayne Isaako comes off his seventh 60+ score of the year. Rookie Harrison Graham (HOK, $406k) keeps the starting dummy-half job.
Warriors: Their top three Fantasy players are all out, with Shaun Johnson a particularly major blow because he is owned by more than a quarter of all teams. In better news Jackson Ford, who is their second most owned player, has kept a spot on the bench, while Mitch Barnett (MID, $628k) returns after two weeks out with a leg laceration.
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Panthers v Cowboys, Saturday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: In welcome news, Penrith have named all of their Fantasy big guns – crucially including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo – with CTR Izack Tago also a chance of returning from a leg injury. Jack Cogger (HLF, $539k) takes the five-eighth spot made vacant by Jarome Luai's injury. Rookie Luke Sommerton starts at hooker.
Cowboys: In the absence of several other popular options, WFB Scott Drinkwater shapes as a sound captaincy choice this week and he has a 58.3 average over his last three games, including a 72 in Round 26. Rookie Zac Laybutt (CTR, $298k) is owned by less than one percent of teams but will be a popular pick up this week for those who still have trades left, after scoring a double on his way to 62 against the Dolphins.
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Dragons v Knights, Saturday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons: Prop Blake Lawrie comes off a 62 last week and is a handy player to have given he is owned by less than two percent of teams, while Ben Hunt will be a popular HLF choice with some of the leading options in that position not playing. High-performing MID Jack de Belin returns from suspension and starts at lock.
Knights: One-time Fantasy gun Lachlan Miller is back, replacing Kalyn Ponga who is out with a shoulder injury. With Ponga in 26 percent of teams, it is a massive blow, while the Knights have also opted to rest both Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell. Nu Brown (HOK/MID, $324k) starts at hooker with Phoenix Crossland and Kurt Mann held back from Round 27.
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Titans v Bulldogs, Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: Chris Randall again starts at hooker and scored 60 last week in the role, while David Fifita will likely be a popular captaincy choice this week despite only scoring 40 in Round 26. Rookie HLF Thomas Weaver, who is priced at $283k, looked good last week on his way to 43.
Bulldogs: With DPP status as both a MID and EDG, Corey Waddell shapes as being a useful player to plug gaps this week and given his last-up score of 69, he's a more than serviceable option in your scoring 17. Rookie wing Blake Wilson is also showing plenty of promise on the Fantasy front. Rookie CTR Paul Alamoti has fallen away badly after a promising start to the year, with his price now down to $349k and his season average at 29.7.
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Sharks v Raiders, Sunday at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: Nicho Hynes owners can breathe a sigh of relief, with Fantasy's highest averaging player named to play after missing last week with a quad complaint. Connor Tracey (CTR/WFB, $524k) equaled his best score of the season in Round 26 with 57.
Raiders: Jordan Rapana is named at fullback after an underwhelming 16 last week, with Sebastian Kris on the wing and Jack Wighton at centre. Popular MID Corey Horsburgh has been named ahead of facing the judiciary on Tuesday to contest his Grade One Shoulder charge offence and will only play if he is successful in overturning the charge.
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